Eight excellent things to do in Waterloo (picked by a clued-up local)

Waterloo: it’s got a big station, it’s near the South Bank, what else could you possibly want to know about the riverside neighbourhood? Turns out: a lot. We asked Ricardo Ayala, supervisor at The Travel Café, for his tips on the best of the area. Keep reading for a short guide to the best bars, shops and restaurants. Want to know about what’s going on there? You can read our full Waterloo area guide here.  

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1. Twice the Siren

‘A small local gift shop that sells really lovely jewellery, stones, scarves, clothing, candles and more. I bought a friend of mine a beautiful Turkish necklace and scarf from here for her birthday. She really loved it.’ 28 Lower Marsh, SE1 7RG.

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2. Unwined

‘A great spot to go to for a glass of wine. It has a really lovely atmosphere. The staff are really lovely and friendly, which is pretty much reflective of the whole area.’ 137-139 Lower Marsh, SE1 7AE.

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3. Locale

‘If you love Italian food, you should definitely visit this restaurant. When I visit Italian places, I always check out the cheeses, and Locale’s burrata is the most delicious. It’s definitely my favourite thing on the menu.’ County Hall, 3b Belvedere Rd, SE1 7GP.

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4. Scootercaffe

‘I’m a frequent visitor here, whether it’s to grab a sandwich or sit down for a coffee, beer or cider. The decor is very rustic and they have a basement seating area as well as a little garden in the back where you can sit, which is always nice. Their menu is also a decent price.’ 132 Lower Marsh, SE1 7AE.

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5. Cubana

‘This Latin American restaurant is as much about the drinks as it is the food. I love coming here because of the great vibe. Their Pornstar Martini is my favourite.’ 48 Lower Marsh, SE1 7RG.

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6. Tonight Josephine

‘When passing the entrance of this bar, all you can smell is strawberry chewing gum. Everything inside is pink and it’s filled with mirrors all around. It’s a great dancing spot too. I need to go back and dance properly now that there are no restrictions.’ 111 Waterloo Rd, SE1 8UL.

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7. Waterloo Millennium Green

‘At the end of Lower Marsh, this lovely little park is a go-to on hot days. You can take your drinks from any of the places in Lower Marsh and head down there, especially when the weather is good.’ Baylis Rd, SE1 7AA.

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8. Oasis Farm Waterloo

‘It’s not often you get to see pigs, geese and sheep in the middle of London. The farm isn’t very big, but it is a great and unexpected place to visit in central London. You can also go and volunteer with them, which I think is really lovely.’ 18 Carlisle Lane, SE1 7LG.

The best restaurants near South Bank and Waterloo. 

The 22 must-see places in Waterloo.